Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2021-05
Climate Change Adaptation Priority Strategies in the Philippines: Differences Between Local Government Decision Makers and Marginalized Coastal Communities
Consequences of climate inaction are already felt by many vulnerable populations, and adapting to these impacts is an increasingly important necessity for affected communities. This study assessed adaptation priority differences in the Philippines to determine if traditional climate change decision makers accurately represent the marginalized communities they serve. Specifically, this study gathered baseline data of climate change knowledge, compared resiliency priorities and proposed strategies between local government workers and village residents, and analyzed factors that contribute to identify differences. The study's target group (residents of small villages) has historically been marginalized in municipal environmental decision making. Data collected through focus group discussions and interviews demonstrated there was a statistical difference between local government officials who were more likely to propose abstract, systemic adaptation strategies to build social capacity (69% of government officials' proposed strategies), while village residents focused on physical infrastructure (59% of village residents' proposed strategies). A second study outcome was the identification of contributing factors in how Filipinos might propose climate change adaptation strategies: for example, education levels, social or economic class, accessibility to resources, sources of information, and past experience with hazards. The significance of this research is the evidence of climate change adaptation prioritization differences between the country's traditional decision-making group, the municipal government unit, and marginalized members of local villages. The differences show that local municipal government units in the Philippines may not be the most effective base group for bottom-up adaptation and support the need for effective collaboration and community engagement in future climate change planning.
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